A Chicken Mix and an Elusive Pagan Neighbor

Cooking Adventure: Monty's Cajun Spice Mix

Source: Monty's Blue Plate Diner Cookbook

The Bellydance Soundtrack: Feel Good Vibe by Feel Good Productions
Prep Time: 5-7 minutes

The last few days have been pretty hectic around here. Getting back from a five hour Minnesota drive, getting back to work and then getting over a cold has meant that not a ton of cooking has been going on. Luckily, I've been saved by the power of chicken and an ample amount of cajun seasoning.

The recipe comes from Monty's Blue Plate Diner in Madison, WI - a place I would gladly camp out at for their Eggs Florentine. If you're ever kicking around Madison, I recommend a stop in for breakfast or lunch. But if you find yourself not being able to access the restaurant itself (especially if you're in New Zealand), then I highly recommend checking out the book and trying your hand at cooking up your own bit of Wisconsin cuisine. The chicken seasoning is especially good, because the recipe gives you about 1 to 2 cups worth. So on nights like tonight when I really just want to relax for the first time in a week, I can whip out a chicken breast, slap it with seasoning, fry it up and make a sammich.

And tonight, as I was finishing up my Cajun "sammich", I heard the sound of a key being turned. I did the first thing any normal person would do. I shoved my plate on the counter, bolted to the door and jammed my eye up against the peep hole. You see, ever since moving in two years ago, I hardly ever see my across-the-hall neighbor, so it has become a sort of indoor safari game in which I attempt to catch a glimpse via the peep hole. Granted, I have seen her outside a bit more lately, and I've actually made eye contact and exchanged words, but the game still continues. An added contest is to find out if she's Pagan without directly asking her. She keeps a witch door decoration up all year, and she said she liked our bumper stickers right after I put up a wiccan one. Those are probably good hints. Perhaps I shall leave her a "Happy Equinox" card on her door and see what happens...

Also, thanks to everyone wishing me well. I actually felt really good yesterday. Hardly any sniffles at all!Yay for the healing power of witches in groups! :)